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Why did my dog's spay incision open? Essential aftercare tips.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | American Bulldog | Female | spayed | 6 months and 7 days old | 48 lbs
My dog was spayed Tuesday. Friday her intestines ended coming out through the suture. There was blood everywhere and we had to put her down. We are first time pet owners, and we’re given no aftercare instructions on how to treat the dog. My fiancé and I are having trouble living with ourselves afterwards, is this the vets fault ultimately?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on March 11th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
I am so sorry for the tragic lose of your dog Luna! What a terrible thing for you and her have to go through!
Sadly I can't speak on behalf of what did or didn't happen at your Vet. A spay is a MAJOR abdominal surgery. The dog needs to be strictly exercise restricted at home for 10-14 days, this means no running, jumping, no playing with other dogs, leash walks only. If they exercise too much the internal stitches can fall apart and allow the internal organs to come out. Also the dog should wear an E-collar or a T-shirt to prevent chewing and/or licking of the incision as the dog can chew it open and cause the dame thing. They should also be kept indoors for the recovery period as well.
Despite the tragedy of this situation, you should calmly speak to your vet about your interpretation of the what was or wasn't said at discharge after surgery and what can be done to better improve communication with post surgical patients. You constructive criticism may be able to prevent this from happening to someone else.
Again I am so sorry for your loss. I hope this helps in some way.
I am so sorry for the tragic lose of your dog Luna! What a terrible thing for you and her have to go through!
Sadly I can't speak on behalf of what did or didn't happen at your Vet. A spay is a MAJOR abdominal surgery. The dog needs to be strictly exercise restricted at home for 10-14 days, this means no running, jumping, no playing with other dogs, leash walks only. If they exercise too much the internal stitches can fall apart and allow the internal organs to come out. Also the dog should wear an E-collar or a T-shirt to prevent chewing and/or licking of the incision as the dog can chew it open and cause the dame thing. They should also be kept indoors for the recovery period as well.
Despite the tragedy of this situation, you should calmly speak to your vet about your interpretation of the what was or wasn't said at discharge after surgery and what can be done to better improve communication with post surgical patients. You constructive criticism may be able to prevent this from happening to someone else.
Again I am so sorry for your loss. I hope this helps in some way.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful